Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Goodbyes Are Hard

Lucy was in a foul temper this morning. That makes two of us. I trotted out to the yard with the oh-so-bright idea that I would attempt milking her out completely by hand, but found myself more than a touch regretful when half way through the squeezing, Lucy planted a poo laden hoof into the milk pail. I leapt off of the milking stool erupting, "You fucking bitch!" I think the gaggle of teenagers at the bus stop (our yard looks over a main thoroughfare) overheard me as I could hear the snickers echoing up the hill "Who's she calling a bitch?" I could have kicked myself for being so cavalier, so presumptuous... so public with my colorful outbursts. Damn it, I knew better. Eh, Lucy did plenty of kicking for me. She coated my brand spanking new, totally awesome "Millions against Monsanto" t-shirt with a slime of crap and milk. I washed it off, but by early afternoon I detected a baby puke odor following me about.

I guess Lucy had a right to be upset; Fred and Ginger went to their forever home this weekend. Lucy's been agitated since they left. Even Ethel was miffed. I understand. We miss them too, even if they were only here for a short while. They're just so darn affectionate and adorable. But they've got great new digs down in Watsonville with Pam at Peaceful Valley Farm.

They will surely be happy there. Pam's got a great plot of land with all sorts of interesting residents, like this bantam frizzle,

these Polish ladies who, contrary to assumptions, are great layers,

this gorgeous roo, whom I wished I could have taken home but for that darn crowing issue,

and these cute-as-can-be turkey poults.

Chickens running around the yard is pretty pedestrian stuff to Pam. She grew up in the San Jose area where her mom always had a flock in the backyard. Her mother, who now lives in Los Gatos, often drops by to help her with the ladies. Pam's got all kinds of interesting breeding things happening. Right now she's working on crossing Ameraucanas with a brown layer (I think she said a Cuckoo Maran) to produce hens that will lay olive colored eggs. So cool.

I was super impressed by the number of onions Pam had planted: 365, one for every day of the year since that's how much her family eats on average. She's really got those suckers packed in here.

And check out this celery plant.

Good god, it's like a bush! The poor puppy could get lost in there. Maybe one day I'll get a celery plant to grow that ginormous. Though I suspect Pam may have some sort of plant crack in the soil. You should have seen the Dino Kale tree. Wish I would have gotten a pic of that. It was so impressive that I begged Pam to send me some of the seed when she collects it.

We wandered around the farm for a good long time, procrastinating on our goodbyes. It's so hard to let go. Fred and Ginger are super special to us. They are our first babies.But Pam promises that she will keep us all posted on their to-doings on her blog. Thank you, Pam, for taking Fred and Ginger into your fold.

Pam is my sister & I was at the farm yesterday gleefully playing with Fred & Ginger (mostly the ever aggressive Fred). They're in great hands & I can't thank you enough for giving my sis some well deserved press & credit. Keep up the good work, there ARE millions behind you! -Jim Carricojcarrico@metronews.com

Baby-puke smell, ah. Takes me back. My son is 28 years old and I still recall the gaggy smell. As for the "f"-bomb, just remember that we are each entitled to one per year. I expect to live to be several hundred years old :)

Just a quick update...Fred and Ginger are totally settling in! They spent the first 2 days calling out for attention. I gave them lots of love and hugs, and they have now calmed right down and seem at home. My mom was here and offered them every kind of weed we have, to see if there were any they like. Burr Clover, YES, Monster Kale and Celery, YES. They seem to be getting more into the greens every day. :-) John keeps saying, "I love those goats", and everyone who meets Fred says how very handsome he is! And my brother loved butting heads with him. Literally! Fred took a good nap after Jimmy was here! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for such an awesome gift! Can't wait to have you and Ute down again!

yay!!!! I'm so glad to hear that fred and ginger are happy. fred LOVES to butt heads. if you point your fist at him, he will play butt that too! isn't he so devilishly handsome? ginger is the sweetest. she's not as animated as fred, but she's definitely a real love bug.